September 29, 2007

Non-profit hospital out to raise funds

Star: SEREMBAN: Close to RM3mil has been raised so far for the redevelopment of the Negri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Hospital, the only non-profit medical entity in the state.
Project fund-raising committee chairman Datuk Peter Lai said response from the public was encouraging, adding that RM20mil had to be raised.
“We hope more will step forward to help,” he said, adding that RM15mil will be spent for the redevelopment and the rest on equipment.
Hospital president Datuk Dr Nellie Tan-Wong said the 105-bed hospital would be the biggest in the state.
“We will be a non-profit hospital and patients need pay only RM10 for outpatient treatment,” she said, adding that the hospital, established 75 years ago, now had 70 beds.
There are also plans to set up a nursing school at the hospital, under a tie-up with Nilai International University College.
Dr Tan-Wong said the hospital planned to woo medical tourists from Sumatra, adding that six doctors had visited Dumai in Indonesia last month for the purpose.
She said the hospital was also negotiating with India’s Aashwasan Life Enhancement Services Pvt Ltd chief executive officer Rashmi Aiyappa to open a counselling clinic at the hospital.
A fund-raising dinner, to be attended by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, will be held at Allson Klana Resort on Oct 6.